Are you sitting comfortably?
Then I’ll begin.
It was very hot that summer day in 1977. I was one of the new intake of student nurses at York Hospital and we were on a tourist trip to the city.
We went through an iron gate on Goodramgate into a quiet church yard and then into the church.
Within seconds, I had fled, accompanied by Audrey D.
Churches are always cool but this one was cold, a cold so intense and deep it was unbearable. It penetrated every cell of my body leaving me shaking and frightened.
I’ve lived in Canada, I know what minus silly degrees weather is like with added wind chill, but I have never felt a cold like this.
I had asked to be excused the trip knowing the heat would cause a migraine. I certainly got one! In later years, my hairdresser told me she couldn’t even get through the gate! Audrey & I were not alone…
York is said to be most haunted city in England. There are ghosts where ever you go. There was the strange event in Coronary Care one night…
Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, has its own special ghost story
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Thomas Percy was born in 1528 and in 1557 became the 7th Earl of Northumberland. He was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth 1st but he was Roman Catholic and England was now Anglican which lead to suspicion at court.
Percy sympathised with the Roman Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots who was imprisoned in the Tower of London, and joined forces with other nobles who wanted her released.
The Rising of the North failed and Percy fled to Scotland where he was captured by the Earl of Morton. After 3 years, Morton sold Percy back to the English for £2000. He was subsequently executed by beheading in the Market place in York 22 August 1572 after he refused to renounce his faith. His head was impaled on a spike at Micklegate Bar and his body buried at St Crux (now demolished).
His ghost is said to haunt Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, searching for his head.
(Britannica & Wiki)
Is this what Audrey & I sensed, the agitation of a body searching for its head for centuries? Who knows? I only know what I felt. Most people can happily visit this peaceful little church and I wouldn’t wish my experience on anybody.
This photo was shot from OUTSIDE the gate!
240812TZ30120220
Doggie mummy living in ancient York, Yorkshire, England.
Joined 1st Jan 2018
1st Jan 2024 have achieved 196%
28 March 2024 200%
I take photos, am not a photographer.
Interested...
@countrylassie I hope you only feel the serenity of a centuries old church. I don't understand why Percy haunts Holy Trinity, you might expect him to be in what remains of St Crux. Maybe his body was reburied at H T or maybe that’s where his head is. I’ll have to try to find out.
Great shot, interesting information. It must have been very frightening to still affect you now. So many people, both catholic and protestant suffered similar fate and in places around the world still do. Thankfully churches of many denominations are working and praying together now
Thanks for the follow. This is probably the best story and the fact that you did the reserch as a follow up makes for a great and interesting capture. Fav and a follow back.
@oldjosh I wish we could say that's all in the past but as we well know, it continues.
The Pearl of York, Margaret Clitheroe was another who died horibly for her faith. Maybe I'll tell HER story one day.
many thanks
A lovely shot of this hidden gem of a church. I can't say I've noticed an unusual atmosphere there, and I have visited after dark. Did you know it was used to film some scenes from the TV programme 'Death Comes to Pemberley'? - fav!
@fishers I think most people wouldn’t be affected and I have no idea why Audrey & I were. I won’t risk a repeat though. Didn’t know about the filming and haven’t heard about the TV programme either.
The Pearl of York, Margaret Clitheroe was another who died horibly for her faith. Maybe I'll tell HER story one day.
many thanks
Ian